By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to equity, inclusivity, and merit-based employment in the state civil service following public reactions to a viral voice note allegedly made by a female civil servant.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the government acknowledged concerns raised by the audio message, which alleged the exclusion of Ebira youths from employment opportunities.
The statement also noted the circulation of a related video that further intensified public discourse, accusing some individuals and groups of attempting to sensationalize the issue.
According to the government, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains committed to inclusive governance, stressing that his administration is guided by fairness, active listening, and responsiveness to citizens’ concerns.
While affirming the civil servant’s right to express personal opinions, the government clarified that the views contained in the voice note were personal and do not reflect official policy. It added that established channels exist within the civil service for lodging complaints and seeking redress.
The government further assured that no individual would be victimized for peacefully expressing their views, cautioning against actions that could unnecessarily inflame public sentiment.
Fanwo disclosed that the governor has directed that the civil servant involved be granted full protection, while also mandating the civil service to strengthen internal feedback mechanisms to address grievances more effectively.
Reiterating its stance on employment, the government maintained that recruitment into the civil service would continue to be guided strictly by competence, capacity, and available resources, while ensuring fair representation across all parts of the state.
He called on residents to remain calm and disregard misinformation or divisive narratives, emphasizing that constructive dialogue and adherence to due process remain key to sustaining peace and progress.
Fanwo also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to continuous public engagement and transparency in its policies and actions.